Published January 13, 2008
The Charlotte Observer
By Steve Lyttle
A North Carolina-based photojournalist brought the headlines to life last week for several hundred area high school students who will play leading roles in a human rights program later this winter.
David Johnson, author of "Voices of Sudan," a book about the ongoing violence in Darfur, spoke Wednesday to an estimated 600 students at Charlotte Latin School during the Echo Foundation's annual Humanity's Day program.
The Echo Foundation, which promotes social justice and tolerance, will bring Bishop John Rucyahana to Charlotte on March 4 for meetings with students and local leaders. Rucyahana played a lead role in helping rebuild the African nation of Rwanda following violence in that nation that left an estimated 800,000 people dead in the mid-1990s.
This year's Echo Foundation project is an examination of genocide, focusing on Rwanda and Darfur, a region of Sudan.
The students who met at Charlotte Latin last week will also meet with Rucyahana in March.
"History books will write one of two things about your generation," Johnson, based in Chapel Hill, told students at Charlotte Latin. "They will write either, `You did something,' or `You chose to do nothing.'
"They will not write, `You did not know.' "
Johnson encouraged students to become involved in efforts to end the violence in Darfur, where hundreds of thousands of African residents have been killed and many others chased from their homes. Arab militias have been blamed for much of the violence.
Students said they knew about Darfur through news events, but Johnson's photos and stories made the problem more vivid.
"This puts a face on it," said Sarah Genay, a Providence High School student.
"It was very touching," added Sora Shin, of Myers Park High School. "We've all heard and read about Darfur in the news. But the personal stories really make a difference."
During part of Wednesday's program, students broke into small discussion groups and talked about ways to lobby for an end to the violence. They talked about writing letters to elected officials, sponsoring fundraising events, and contacting TV networks to ask for more news about Darfur and less about show business celebrities.
"It is good to know that there are ways we can help," said Cammie Cowart, of East Mecklenburg High School. "Now we've got to get something done."
Voices Against Indifference
The Echo Foundation's annual "Voices Against Indifference" program this year will bring Bishop John Rucyahana of Rwanda to Charlotte on March 4. Several events are planned during his visit, and the Echo Foundation also is sponsoring essay and art contests and is offering students a chance to visit Rwanda. For information, call 704-347-3844 or check www.echofoundation.org.
To view the article online, go to www.charlotte.com.